Hello Nyakundi,

Kindly keep our identities confidential for fear of victimization.

We are government officers from the Department of Immigration and Citizen Services under the Ministry of Interior who participated in the recent national registration exercise targeting marginalized counties, including Isiolo, Samburu, and Marsabit.

The exercise, which was aimed at increasing access to national identification cards and birth certificates among underserved communities, commenced on April 7, 2026, and concluded on April 17, 2026.

Before deployment, officers were informed that they would be entitled to per diem allowances for the period they would spend away from their duty stations. Many of us accepted the assignment in good faith, leaving our families and working under difficult conditions in remote areas with the understanding that the government would honour its commitments.

The exercise itself was not easy.

Officers travelled long distances, worked in challenging environments, and spent days serving communities in some of the country's most remote and historically marginalized regions. The work required significant sacrifice, commitment, and endurance.

Yet more than two months after the exercise ended, many officers say they have not received a single shilling of the promised allowances.

The delay has left many frustrated and financially strained.

Several officers reportedly used their own resources during deployment, expecting reimbursement upon completion of the assignment. Others incurred personal expenses related to transport, accommodation, meals, and communication while undertaking the government programme.

What is causing even greater frustration is the apparent lack of communication regarding the delayed payments.

According to affected officers, repeated attempts to seek clarification have yielded little information. Staff members say they have been left in the dark regarding when the allowances will be paid and why the payments have taken so long.

More troubling are allegations that officers who raise concerns about the issue in official communication channels are being silenced.

Affected staff claim that individuals who question the delays in official WhatsApp groups and other communication forums are sometimes removed from those groups instead of being provided with answers.

If true, such actions would only deepen the sense of frustration among officers who simply want transparency and accountability regarding money they believe they rightfully earned.

The situation has created growing anxiety among many officers who feel abandoned after successfully delivering a government programme that was widely publicized as part of efforts to improve access to essential registration services in marginalized regions.

The registration drive was intended to address longstanding challenges faced by communities that have historically struggled to obtain critical identification documents. Government officials praised the initiative as a major step towards inclusion and improved access to public services.

However, officers who implemented the programme on the ground now say they feel forgotten.

Many are asking a simple question: if the government had funds to organize the exercise, deploy officers, and publicize the initiative, why have the officers who carried out the work not been paid their allowances?

The affected officers are not demanding special treatment.

They are simply asking the Ministry of Interior, the Department of Immigration and Citizen Services, and the relevant government authorities to provide clear communication regarding the delayed payments and honour the commitments made before deployment.

As public servants, they say they fulfilled their responsibilities and delivered the assignment successfully.

They now expect the government to fulfil its side of the agreement.

Until then, many officers remain frustrated, uncertain, and concerned that raising legitimate questions about their unpaid allowances could expose them to retaliation.

For officers who spent days in remote corners of Isiolo, Samburu, Marsabit, and other marginalized regions helping citizens access crucial identity documents, the request is straightforward:

Pay the allowances that were promised and provide a clear explanation for the delay.

Concerned Immigration Officers.